Germany news: VW to step up cost-cutting program
The Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, says the win by the socialist Left Party at Berlin state elections on Sunday poses a "direct existential danger" for the Jewish community in the German capital.
"The strong performance of the Left at the Berlin elections should worry anyone who cherishes the continued existence of Jewish life in this city," he told the German DPA news agency.
"The completely unbridled antisemitism that has manifested itself in this party has been given a new political dimension by its rise to the strongest force," Prosor said.
Elif Eralp, the Left's top candidate who might become the governing mayor of Berlin, has said that antisemitism was not stronger in her party than in society at large.
"The overwhelming majority of the party is clearly in favor of protecting Jewish life and the strength of Jewish life," she said at a discussion run by the Jewish Community in Berlin (JGzB).
"Antisemitism is a problem in society in general and exists also within the Left Party," she said.
German carmaker Volkswagen intends to accelerate the ongoing cost-cutting program at its core brand, Thomas Schäfer, the brand chief of Volkswagen Passenger Cars said on Monday.
"We have absolutely no time to lose and will therefore significantly ramp up our performance program once again," Schäfer said.
His remarks at a staff meeting at the company's main plant in Wolfsburg came as automotive workers across Germany held protests, calling on management to secure jobs.
Schäfer said around 16,300 redundancies have been finalized in Germany, with a total of just under 28,800 agreed upon by 2030, close to the target of 35,000.
He called this "good progress," but warned that it was not enough.
In early September, Volkswagen said it would be cutting a total of 100,000 jobs worldwide by the end of the decade.
Germany's carmakers are under pressure from increasing Chinese competition, while also having to contend with high energy prices, US tariffs and falling demand at home.
Guten Tag from DW's newsroom in Bonn!
Fallout from the weekend's state elections continues to dominate headlines in Germany, and we will be looking at party reactions to the results, which represent a considerable upheaval in the country's political landscape.
Germany's automotive industry is also facing great changes in the face of multiple challenges, with key carmaker Volkswagen doubling down on streamlining measures it says are needed to remain competitive.
And, as a reflection of the security challenges currently facing Europe, the Ruhr city of Essen is hosting a new defense industry trade fair, Eudex, featuring 350 exhibitors from 28 countries.
Read on here for more details on these and other stories currently hitting the headlines in Germany.
